Iron County register., 1887-04-21
A REIGN OF TERROR.

A REIGN OF TERROR.
jamestown, New York, by Reason of Lacf
of Municipal Organization, In the Hand
of Thugs and Thieves, Who Have Estab
lished Reign of Terror-v1gilants Or.
ganfzing.
JAMESTOWN, N. Y, April 15.-Nearly a
year ago, the village of Jamestown be-
came an incorporated city. Since that
time there has been no code of local laws
or city ordinances, owing to the non-pro-
curement of city charter, the prepara-
tion of which has been delayed again and
again. To-day the city of jamestown has
population of sixteen thousand people,
but the place is in the same condition in
regard to local laws and ordinances as the
hamlets and villages of few hundred in
habitants. There is but one policeman to
guard the town in the daytime, and at
nighttime two policemen watch over the
lives Of sixteen thousand people, and
protect millions of dollars worth of prop
erty.
When this state Of affairs became
known to the gamblers and crooks OF
other cities, they began focking in here
in large numbers. During the past few
months a dozen gambling rooms have
been in operation, and fifty sporting
women and several hundred gam blers,
crooks and black-legs have congregated
here. Two weeks ago series of burg.
laries began which have continued night
ly
Last Saturday morning merchant A. r.
Catlin shot and instantly killed Chester
W. Green, one of large gang of burglars.
Green was caught in the act Of entering
Catlin's house. This act of justifable
homicide did not seem to have the desired
effect upon the burglars and crooks, as
robberies and burglaries have occurred
nightly since the killing of Green. The
two night policemen have been power
less, and the entire city has been and is
virtually at the mercy Of an organized
band of thieves.
Wednesday night twenty citizens met
and volunteered their services as special
patrol. Notwithstanding these precau-
tlons, a citizen was attacked by two high
waymen at nine o'clock in the evening
and knocked down. The thieves were
frightened away by his cries. Four
houses were entered that night. and next
morning, between one and two o'clock,
burglars entered the house of Mr.. Brock
way, who lives at No. AZ Hazard street.
The thieves tried to gain admittance
through a kitchen door, using a chisel
Failing in this attempt, they pried up the
bottom of a front window, but could not
gain admittance. They then tried the
front door, and succeeded in boring
hole through the wood and
turning the key with nipper.
Mr. Brockway slept downstairs. He
heard lamp-shade fall from the sitting
room table and leaped to his feet. AS he
rushed to the door of the sitting-room the
burglars seized him around the waist. A
desperate struggle ensued. Mr.. Brock
ways night shirt was torn into shreds,
and he was hurled against the bedroom
door. Brockway says that the burglars
threw him against the bedroom door
second time, and the last time sent
spray of chloroform in his face. The
burglars then took to their heels out of
the front door, which was standing open.
Brockway's pantaloons were found on the
floor with the pockets turned inside out
The town is SO thoroughly frightened
that many women and children have not
gone to bed for many nights. There is a
perfect reign Of terror throughout the
town. Every citizen goes armed, and one
can scarcely buy a revolver IN town.
Last night the Eagle Hose Company
volunteered their services as special
patrol, and vigilance committee is being
formed. The thieves are becoming so
bold that they openly tell the solitary
policeman of intended raids at night.
More burglaries are expected tonight,
and it is more than probable that the
thieves will be shot on sight If caught in
the act of breaking into houses. Not in
years has there, been SO much excitement
here.
A tour Of the hardware and gun stores
made last night reveals the fact that their
stock of locks, bolts, guns and revolvers
in the city is exhausted. Dealers have
sent to Buffalo for supplies. One busi-
ness man, who purchased a revolver yes
terday, remarked that this was the first
revolver he had ever bought in his life.
The deputy sheriffs in charge of the citi-
zen patrol are inclined to think that the
burglaries are being committed by fine
haired gang distributed in groups and
stopping at the six principal hotels. One
noted New York thief and four pals are at
a fashionable boarding house, and four
well-known Buffalo crooks are at another.
At q special session Of the City Council
last night, 500 was offered for every
burglar captured. This offer is made to
any citizen whether on duty or not.